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Butterflies

Although there are no butterflies permanently established on Fair Isle, immigrants do occur annually.
In most years only a handful of butterflies are seen on the island, but in some years
large invasions have occurred; those in 1980, 1996, 2002 and 2003 were particularly stunning.

Eleven species of butterfly have been recorded on Fair Isle, but only one has bred.

Regular migrants

The following are seen annually or near annually in varying numbers:

Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae

PeacockInachis io

Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta

Painted LadyVanessa cardui

Large WhitePieris brassicae (has bred)

Vagrants

The following have only been recorded on a few occasions:

Small WhitePieris rapae June 1978, August 1989 and July 1992

Small HeathCoenonympha pamphilus June 1980

Clouded YellowColias croceus July/August 1980, May 1992 and August 1992